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Coming and Going

The end of the school year is upon us. It makes me want to reflect back on what kind of school year it has been. On the other hand, summer plans need to be finalized and much could be said about what we have to look forward to. On a third hand, which I do not have, there is something to be said about life on this day.

Honestly, with school year schedules going and summer schedules coming (hello sandals, I’ve missed you) it is a little bit crazy for me to try and focus on just one thing right now. Plus I have just finished two books with contrasting styles and opinions on matters of faith. (In case you're wondering, Who Really Goes to Hell and The Naked Gospel.) The books, which both were well written and focused in on the cores of our faith, have been a good exercise for me.

While one made me hurt inside, the other gave me fresh insight. But you can’t judge truth by how it makes you feel. Truth is truth, whether we recognize it or not. That’s a little off my point, which is to say my current reading and my current schedule have me looking both ways before I cross. I suppose I could imitate the Apostle Paul who forgot what was behind and pressed on toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:12-14).

The truth is that these are good days for me. I am challenged at work, though not exasperated. I have experienced success (however that is defined) in ministry and I have also experienced some pain.

With that in mind we also need to forget what was behind. When Paul did that, he was not just forgetting pain. He was forgetting anything in the past and moving towards genuine life in Jesus Christ. We would be wise to do the same.

So, in my small attempt to add to your summer plans, I encourage you to do 3 things.
1. Crack open some books and expand your horizon.
2. Review your last 9 months and thank God for what He has done.
3. Now forget the last 9 months and go out and live the next 3.
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